Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator to include a clear disclaimer about the use of artificial intelligence in the game's development. The move comes after a heated debate sparked by accusations that the studio had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text.
The new notice, which appears prominently at the top of the game's description, outlines the company's stance on AI and acknowledges recent statements made by its chief executive, Matt Karch, regarding the situation. The full text of the AI disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows comments from Saber CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 to July 2024.
Ms. Sacco claims she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through development and that her responsibilities were taken over by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed uses of AI throughout the game's creation.
In response, Mr. Karch has stated that Ms. Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added that "in retrospect [he] would have been happy to replace her with AI." "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," Karch told the podcast This Week In Videogames. "We have already said we are using AI for certain parts of the game and will update the Steam page once we have finalised the feature set." "We view our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a benefit for consumers." In a post on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, Sacco wrote that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She continued, "I've been firm from the beginning that I was telling the truth; I think we can all now agree that it's been borne out. Matt expressed a desire to make it right with me; at this time I don't really know what that looks like for me, and I'll have to take some time to sit with it, but I do at least accept his apology." Karch also shared a public comment on LinkedIn, stating, "I unfortunately got triggered by certain later comments (for reasons I won't get into) and shot first and thought second about how to respond.
It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify." The controversy began when former writer Stella Sacco, who joined Saber Interactive in mid‑2023, alleged that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator project after only a few months and that her writing duties were handed over to an AI system, specifically OpenAI's ChatGPT. Sacco's claims suggested that the studio had not only replaced her with a machine‑generated alternative but also employed AI tools in other, undisclosed aspects of the game's development pipeline. Her accusations quickly attracted attention from industry observers, who pointed to a broader conversation about the ethical implications of using AI to replace human creators.
Matt Karch, the company's CEO, initially responded with a defensive tone. He argued that Sacco had been "replaced by someone more talented" and that her eventual termination was due to a variety of reasons unrelated to AI.
However, Karch also admitted that, looking back, he might have been open to using AI as a replacement, a comment that only fueled the debate. In a later interview with This Week In Videogames, Karch appeared flustered, saying he had never actually met Sacco and had to rely on an AI assistant named Claude to answer basic questions about her. This admission raised eyebrows, as it seemed to underscore the very reliance on AI that the controversy centered on.
The company eventually decided to be more transparent by adding the AI disclaimer to the Steam page. The notice serves multiple purposes: it acknowledges the public statements made by both Sacco and Karch, it clarifies the studio's current use of AI in the project, and it attempts to reassure potential buyers that the AI components are intended to enhance, rather than replace, the overall experience. Saber Interactive emphasized that Rideshare Simulator is positioned as a lower‑priced title, and that the integration of AI is meant to provide a cost‑effective benefit to consumers.
Sacco's follow‑up on BlueSky indicated that she had accepted Karch's apology, though she remained uncertain about what concrete steps would be taken to "make it right." Her statement highlighted a desire for accountability and perhaps a more tangible form of restitution, such as credit, compensation, or a public acknowledgment of her contributions. The dialogue between the two parties reflects a growing tension in the gaming industry, where studios are experimenting with AI for everything from narrative generation to asset creation, while creators worry about job security and artistic integrity. Karch's LinkedIn post added another layer to the narrative. By describing himself as having been "triggered" and acting impulsively, he framed his earlier remarks as a human error rather than a calculated corporate stance.
He expressed a willingness to correct the situation, though he offered no specific timeline or plan. This admission of fallibility resonated with some observers who appreciated the candidness, while others viewed it as a PR move designed to mitigate backlash. The broader context of this dispute touches on several key industry trends. First, the rapid advancement of large language models has made it feasible for studios to generate dialogue, quest descriptions, and even entire story arcs with minimal human input.
Second, the cost savings associated with AI can be attractive for lower‑budget projects, but they also raise questions about the value placed on human creativity. Third, labor unions and advocacy groups are beginning to call for clearer guidelines and protections for writers, artists, and developers whose roles could be supplanted by algorithms. In response to the controversy, some industry analysts have suggested that studios should adopt transparent AI policies, similar to the one now posted on the Steam page, and provide clear attribution for any AI‑generated content.
Others argue that a hybrid approach—where AI assists human writers rather than replaces them—could preserve creative quality while still leveraging efficiency gains. The debate is far from settled, and the Saber Interactive case may serve as a cautionary tale for other developers navigating the balance between innovation and responsibility.
As of now, Rideshare Simulator remains available on Steam, with the new disclaimer visible to all visitors. The game's pricing and feature set have not changed, but the studio's public communication strategy has shifted toward greater openness about its development tools. Whether this approach will satisfy critics, reassure players, or set a precedent for future AI disclosures remains to be seen.
What is clear is that the conversation surrounding AI in game development has entered a new phase, where transparency, accountability, and respect for human creators are becoming central to the discourse. In summary, Saber Interactive's decision to place an AI usage notice on the Rideshare Simulator Steam page reflects an attempt to address a controversy sparked by allegations of replacing a human writer with ChatGPT. CEO Matt Karch issued an apology, acknowledging his impulsive response to criticism, and expressed a willingness to rectify the situation. The incident highlights the ongoing tension between the efficiencies offered by AI and the ethical considerations of displacing creative talent, a topic that continues to shape the future of the video game industry.